The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-29

Annual Reunion CT the National Association a
Chicago.

Annual Reunion CT the National Association a.
Chicago.
The annual convention Of the National As
ISOLATION of Union Ex-Prisoners of War was
held at Chicago Sept. % and %. President
John McElroy, OF THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
presided.
Gen. Payey in his address read the following
circular order issued at Audersonyille:
HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES MILITARY
PRISON
ASDERsONymA.E. GA. July %. 1854 J
Tbs officers on duty and in charge al the battery
OF Florida Artillery" at the time viii upon
ceiving notice that the enemy have approached
within seven miles Of the post, open dre upon the
stociyadc with grapeshot without reference TO the
situation beyond these lines OF defense.
IL II better thai the last Federal be extermnated
than be permitted 10 burn and pillage the property
OF loyal citizens, as they viii do allowed 10 make
their escape from prison.
BY order Of JoHS H. w1SDrR.
W. :. MTNDER, Brigadler General.
Adjutant- General.
Gen. Pavey was very bitter in his contemp-
tuous illusions 90 John Minder as the greatest
scoundre Of tho lot, and said il was not with
him question Of politics, but Of religion, in
all this matter.
President McElroy Joined in denouncing
Ninder as did several others, saying that they
were almost sorry Mirz was hanged lie Justly
deserved IT, but was such a htte scoundrel
compared 90 the Others that be should have gone
free IL they did. lie said Belzcbab fortunately
took Wiuder, but must have taken him 10 the
hottest place he had. lie spoke Of the "mush
and gush Reunion OF the blue and gray at
Ocean Grove, and referred very contemptu-
ously TO their eulogy OF Howell Cobb as a
"Christian gentleman" when they all remem-
bered when that Christian gentleman could
have saved thousands of lives by one little act
OF kindness TO the prisoners.
At Che second days session the Committee on
PensiOns-E. III. Williams, of Indiana, Chair
man-reporled the draft of bill, which was
unanimously adopted. by the terms of the bill
the Secretary OF the Interior was directed 10
place upon the pension roll the names Of all
surviving officers and enlisted men. including
sailors, marines, militia, aud volunteers who
served i'm the late war Of the rebellion and who
were prisoners of war. lt provides for those
confined in rebel prisons 80 days quarter PEN
sion; for l2O days, one-half pension; for go
days, three-quarter pension and beyond that
time, full pension. Proof Of having been
prisoner of war to be accepted as sufficient
ground for granting the pensions. Ii was fur
Their provided that this bill should not be con-
strued 10 allow more than one pension to any
one person. Also, that all prisoners should. in
addition, receive s. a day for each aud every
day during which they were imprisoned.
Ii was ordered that the draft of this bill
should be sent TO every GAR. Post in the
country, and that they be asked 10 vote upon
present the bin TO the National Encampment
GAR. for Endorsement and recommendation.
At the afternoon session the constitution and
bylaws were amended so as TO change the
name of the organization 10 Union Ex-Pris-
oners of War;" and TO leave out the State or
CARNATIONS and make the local orders directly
responsible 10 the National organi zation.
Gen. w. II. Powell, Of Belleville, ILL.,, was
unanimously elected President he was the
commander of the Second Cavalry Division Of
the Cavalry Corps of the Army Of the Shenan-
doah.
A. T. Decker, of New York, was elected First
Nice-lresident and Second Vice Presidents
were named by the chairman from each Of the
States represented or having local organizations.
The Executive Committee, besides the Presi-
dent, are John McElTOy. i. III. Mckee, District
of Columbia; w. ID. Lucas Des Moines; John
III. Pike, Bloomington. c. c. McCabe was
elected Chaplain, and Frank Z. Moran his
torian.
A resolution was passed directing the Secre-
tary TO correspond with all the Republican
Congressman and get their opinions upon this
bill, aud the Secretary's salary was made $500
year. resolution, offered by A. i. Decker,
OF New York, was adopted. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
That consider the rebel flags captured during
| the war OF the rebellion should be held sacred by
4 the National Government that future generations
Il
Union soldiers who lost their lives in defense of the
Union. and that the President of the United States
should comply with the law by displaying them in
some public place.
This was passed with great unanimity. there
being only encouraging voices in the vote upon
it. indianapolis was chosen for the next place
of meeting. The total receipts were reported
TO be S503.76, and the disbursements $3O3.79.
A resolution was also passed declaring that
this association, in behalf Of the thousands of
comrades who are suffering from barbarous and
inhuman treatment inflicted by heartless rebel
prison guards, do demand, in the name of 10y
atty and patriotism, that Congress pass a mea-
sure for immediate and permanent relief. Also,
Resolved. That we view with sorrow and painful
regret the appointment OF rebels 90 adjudicate
examine and pass upon the merits OF the applica-
| lions of Union soldiers for needed and Just relief
| through pensions.
1t was also resolved that the mutual interests
Of ex-prisOners cOuld better be served by aud
through the National organization than by
/ State organizations, and that the latter be made
| subservient TO the general plan.
At the close Of the meeting Gen. Powell
| called the attention Of the comrades present 70
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, which he eulogzed
at length as the champion advocate and mouth
piece Of the yeterans-the one paper that, above
all Others, stood up firmly aud resolutely for
| them at all times, defended them against misrep-
resentatiOn, attacked their enemies, encouraged
and supported their friends and furnished the
comrades with vehicle through which TO ex-
press their views and to ascertain each others
whereabouts. He strongly urged all his hear
ers not only to take the paper themselves but
10 endeavor 10 extend its circulation among
their acquaintances and friends. The meeting
closed with three cheers for THE NATIONAL
| TRIBUNE.